Keeping Kids Straight

Pembroke Pines — Dean Soubasis listened intently as Joe Brown, 13, told him he wants to be a SWAT team member when he grows up.

Soubasis, a Pembroke Pines resident and detective with the city's Police Department, encouraged the youngster's goal. "I would highly recommend police work as a career," he said. "It's nice to be there for people when they need you."

Soubasis was manning a table displaying equipment from the special response team, the city's version of SWAT, during the recent Pines Night Out 2005 event at Walter C. Young Middle School.

"I hope the kids get a better understanding of police officers and a better rapport with us ... [and] get to know us other than just being a guy in a uniform sitting in a police car," he said.

"The detective answered a lot of questions I had," said Brown, of Pembroke Pines. "I want to be a SWAT team member so I can break through windows and rescue people."

The event, organized by the city's Citizens Crime Watch, is a spin-off from National Night Out Against Crime, staged in most U.S. cities in August. This year's theme was "Keeping Youth Crime-Free."

Organizers said they wanted the event to center on the city's youth and highlight city activities and facilities that steer youngsters away from crime.

"It seemed like good fun for the kids with a very important theme," said Michelle Brown of Pembroke Pines, who attended with daughters Jessica and Jada, both 7, and Jillian, 10 months. "I want my children to feel comfortable and safe if they ever need the help of these safety providers."

The event featured different police units, child identification kits and a martial arts demonstration by youngsters in the Police Athletic League.